Occupational Therapy

What is occupational therapy?

The aim of occupational therapy (OT) is to maximise the infant or child's potential to participate in daily activities by minimising the impact of disease and disability through the use of purposeful activity. The occupational therapist (OT) is dual trained in physical and mental health. The occupational therapist will assess how the infant/child's physical and mental health as well as the environment impact on participation in daily activities.

Occupational therapy is available in many different clinical areas providing a service to both inpatients and outpatients.

What does an occupational therapist do?

• Assess children's abilities and potential within the context of their family, physical and psychosocial environment.

• Enable children to maintain a balance and maximise their participation in daily activities including self-care, school related tasks and leisure time.

• Problem solve barriers to participation in daily activities
• Use activity as a therapeutic tool
• Adapt the environment to maximise the child's ability to engage in activities.
• Adapt the activity to permit child to participate.

About the department

The department consists of 11 occupational therapists, one therapy assistant and the department secretary.

The occupational therapy department is committed to research. We recognize the importance of research in developing the evidence base required to provide a quality and cost effective service.

The department supports training of occupational therapy students by providing elective paediatric fieldwork placements with priority given to UK students.

The occupational therapists participate in teaching within their area of specialty on courses and conferences at GOSH, ICH and externally.

Useful contacts

College of Occupational Therapists